The bill amends the Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act to establish guidelines, rules, and regulations for the expansion of high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for children ages three and four, as well as to sustain and expand access to high-quality early care and education programs for infants and toddlers under age three. It sets a goal for at least 70% of children in the specified age group to be enrolled in high-quality prekindergarten options, supported by a mixed-delivery system that includes Head Start programs, local education agencies, licensed center-based child care providers, and licensed family child care providers or family child care networks.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is authorized to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations for the implementation of high-quality prekindergarten options. The bill requires the establishment of research-based quality standards that meet or exceed the recommended quality standards for state preschool programs outlined by the National Institute for Early Education Research and/or the federal Head Start Performance Standards. These quality standards will include, but are not limited to, teacher education and certification, class size and staff ratios, learning time, developmentally appropriate evidence-based learning standards, curriculum prioritizing play-based learning, support for students with special needs, support for English language learners, professional development, child assessments, and observations and coaching to improve practice.

Additionally, the bill mandates that funds to sustain and expand prekindergarten and Head Start programs be allocated to ensure competitive wages and benefits for teachers. Commencing with fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter, any increase in funding allocated for the expansion of the Rhode Island prekindergarten program must include a 30% set aside to be administered by the Department of Human Services to sustain and expand access to high-quality child care and early learning programs for infants and toddlers, including Early Head Start. The act will take effect upon passage.